WELCOME
Hereford Cathedral School Music Department is delighted to unveil the first season of our new series ‘Music Makers.’ Having recently been selected as ‘Great for Music’ by The Week’s Independent Schools’ Guide, I am certain this exciting programme of events will strengthen our commitment to providing outstanding musical opportunities to musicians of all ages in Herefordshire and beyond.
This year’s series focuses on introducing a broad range of musical skills, giving insights into some of the disciplines today’s young people may wish to pursue in the world of professional music. As part of our school’s aims to equip students to be ‘real-world ready,’ we will introduce them to essential skills such as conducting, directing, accompanying, writing and arranging music as well as the benefits of the ‘Alexander Technique’ lauded by so many professional musicians.
We recognise that music is for all and several of our events are aimed at those in our community with an interest in furthering their musical knowledge and understanding. Our academic staff will be leading a series of individual ‘evening-style classes’ aimed at developing confidence with musical literacy, writing music and music appreciation.
Our two headline events this year provide the opportunity to work with musicians of international repute. We are delighted to welcome former King’s Singer and one of the country’s finest contemporary composers, Bob Chilcott, to lead a ‘Come and Sing Day’ at Hereford Cathedral as well as welcoming back the acclaimed Carducci Quartet to work with young string players and composers in the region.
I hope you will find something in this brochure that inspires and interests you as a musician. If you would like to know more about any of the events we run, please contact our Music Department Administrator, Mrs Amy Turtle at a.turtle@herefordcs.com.
MR DUNCAN BARLOW DIRECTOR OF MUSIC, HEREFORD CATHEDRAL SCHOOLSeptember
SO YOU WANT TO BE AN ORGANIST?
Saturday 16 September, 12.45pm - 6.45pm
A series of short interactive workshops for aspiring young organists (aged 11-21) introducing skills such as improvisation, setting registration and accompanying services. Sessions will take place in Belmont Abbey and St Martin’s Church, Hereford (transport will be provided) culminating in Evensong at Hereford Cathedral, where there will be a chance to see how to register and accompany on the ‘Father’ Willis organ.
Led by: Peter Dyke, Assistant Director of Music at Hereford Cathedral
Location: Belmont Abbey, St Martin’s Church and Hereford Cathedral
Date: Saturday 16th September 2023, 12.45 - 6.45pm (meet for registration at St Martin’s Church, collection at end of the day from Hereford Cathedral)
Ticket price: £25
October
SO YOU WANT TO SPEAK MUSIC?
Monday 16 October, 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Tuesday 16 January, 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Wednesday 17 April, 6.00pm - 7.30pm
A series of short adult-focused evening classes on music literacy to include: Reading and Writing Notation, Chords and Harmony, Music Appreciation and Listening Critically to Music. Run by the Hereford Cathedral School Music Department.
Session 1 (16 October): ‘Reading Music’ – a beginner’s guide to reading rhythm and pitch led by Natalie Grant, Teacher of Music, Hereford Cathedral School.
Session 2 (16 January): ‘Understanding Harmony’ – an introduction to understanding and using chords and harmony in Pop and Classical music led by Duncan Barlow, Director of Music, Hereford Cathedral School.
Session 3 (17 April): ‘Appreciating Music’ – an introduction to music of the Baroque Period (1600-1750) led by Andrew Semple, Head of Academic Music, Hereford Cathedral School.
Location: HCS Music School, Castle Street, Hereford
Date: 16 October, 16 January and 17 April, 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Ticket price: Free
November
AN INTRODUCTION TO ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE
Wednesday 8 November, 6.30pm - 8.30pm
How do you perform in a more relaxed and comfortable way? How can you lose those harmful habits caused by stress in order to move more freely?
Join us for a workshop introducing the benefits of Alexander Technique, led by an expert in the field, who will guide you through ‘closing the gap between the performance you imagine and the one you give.’ Led by Zoe Challenor, Qualified ITM Alexander Technique teacher and Choral Director and Voice Teacher at Trinity Laban Conservatoire.
Location: HCS Music School, Castle Street, Hereford
Date: Wednesday 8th November, 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Ticket price: £12
SO YOU WANT TO BE A COMPOSER/ ARRANGER?
Saturday 25 November, 10.00am - 3.00pm
How do you start writing a composition? How do you write differently for violin, voice or trumpet? How can you arrange music for particular groups of instruments or voices? Join us for an interactive talk and workshop session to demystify the composition process and learn more about how to write for different types of instruments.
Led by Andrew Weeks, Composer and Head of Composition and Instrumental Studies, Norwich School
Location: HCS Music School, Castle Street, Hereford
Date: Saturday 25 November, 10.00am - 3.00pm
Ticket price: £15
January
SO YOU WANT TO SPEAK MUSIC?
Session 2: Tuesday 16 January, 6.00pm - 7.30pm
See details in October above.
COME AND SING WITH BOB CHILCOTT
Saturday 13 January, 9.45am - 4.30pm
We welcome Bob Chilcott, former King’s Singer and world-renowned composer, who will be coming to Hereford to lead a Come and Sing workshop with a focus on some of his best-known works.
Location: Hereford Cathedral
Date: Saturday 13th January 2024, 9.45 - 4.30pm
Ticket Price: £25 (to include music hire and refreshments)
Concessions (18 and under): £15
AN INTRODUCTION TO SAMBA: A WORKSHOP FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS
By invitation
The staff of HCS Music Department will lead a fun and interactive instrumental workshop introducing the energetic rhythms of Samba. Join us to get into the Carnival spirit!
Location: Hereford Cathedral School, Zimmerman Main Hall, Church Street, Hereford
Date: Thursday 25 January
Ticket price: Free
PHOTO CREDIT: UGGI KALDANSO YOU WANT TO BE AN ACCOMPANIST?
Saturday 27 January, 10.00am - 3.00pm
The collaborative pianist: how to develop your skills as an accompanist and chamber musician. For most pianists, work comes in the guise of being an accompanist rather than a soloist. How do we bridge the gap between soloist and partner? These are the questions we will try and answer in this workshop event for young pianists who want to learn the skills of an accompanist.
Led by: Robin Bowman and Dane Preece (Birmingham Conservatoire)
Location: HCS Music School, Castle Street, Hereford
Date: Saturday 27 January, 10.00am - 3.00pm
Ticket price: £15
April
SO YOU WANT TO SPEAK MUSIC?
Session 3: Wednesday 17 April, 6.00pm - 7.30pm
See details in October above.
SING UP! A VOCAL WORKSHOP FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS
By invitation
The staff of HCS Music Department will run a choral workshop day for young singers, looking at a variety of fun repertoire from rounds and warm-ups to toe-tapping songs with a St George’s Day flavour!
Location: Zimmerman Main Hall, Church Street, Hereford
Date: Tuesday 23 April
Ticket price: Free
SO YOU WANT TO BE A CONDUCTOR?
Saturday 27 April
What is it like to lead a musical group? Join Colin Dowdeswell MBE (former Director of Music at Norwich School) for an interactive workshop introducing the art of conducting and discover more about the musical demands made of a conductor and the challenges involved in directing a choir or ensemble.
Location: HCS Music School, Castle Street, Hereford
Date: Saturday 27 April 2024
Ticket price: £15
